3 Ways to Travel from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - by Bus, Minivan and Private Transfer

In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 270 kilometre distance from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.

There are 3 ways to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transfer. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $11. The fastest route is by private transfer (4h 40m).

Transport	Duration	Price	Best For
Private TransferFastest	4h 40m	($273)	--
Minivan	4h 45m	($67)	--
BusBudget	9h 40m	($11)	--

The indirect bus is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Combined rates with the bus start from only $11, about 1/3 the price of a minivan ticket. However, you will have to take 3 buses, and the journey takes about 9h 40m — excluding the possible waiting time for your connecting buses. This bus journey includes a stop in San Jose. While it’s technically out of the way, it’s the only route available if you want to travel entirely by bus to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca from La Fortuna.

Taking a minivan from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a tourist favourite for its convenience. Although minivan shuttles are a bit pricey with fares from $67, they are direct transfers that also offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. Travel time with a minivan ride is around 4h 45m - 6h, at least 3.5 hours faster than the bus. You can choose from four minivan operators when travelling from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: these are Caribe Shuttle, Interbus, Best Travel Puerto Viejo and Expedition CR.

If you're travelling in a group from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a private ride could be a more practical choice. Rates start from $273 for a -seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that's about per person. If you're in a bigger group, a private transfer can be more affordable than a shared minivan shuttle. We recommend booking your ride via BookAway, which offers different types of vehicles depending on the number of people in your group and your preferred level of luxury. Also, they offer great customer service!

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a charming beach town on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It offers an incredible fusion of culture. You’ll hear locals speaking creole, and find reggae music flowing from bars. All of these alongside traditional Costa Rican sodas and fancy international restaurants popular with expats. You can feel the sense of community in Puerto Viejo, even if you’re just visiting for a few days. Travellers gather on the beach to play volleyball and new connections are made in the bars and the Saturday market that runs every week. PRO TIP: There are two places called Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. These are Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (to the north) and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (to the southeast). Make sure you are going to the correct Puerto Viejo when booking and boarding your ride!

How to Get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

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